Eiran's Bargain

There weren't always dragons in the Valley.

What was once lush and green and full of life was now a barren waste. These creatures had truly infested every last inch of the Valley, leaving death and filth in their wake. Kneeling against a granite boulder, I quickly surveyed my surroundings to ensure I remained unseen. A distant shrill cry drew my eyes upward to one of the passing beasts. It did not see me. On the floor of the Valley, a river crisscrossed through the many large granite boulders, like the one offering me shelter. Dry, brown hills climbed upward on either side, giving way to the stark gray peaks littered with patches of snow. In my mind's eye, I relished the vision of the same hillsides green and coated in wildflowers, teeming with life, fed by the constant waterfalls that cascaded down the large mountains. Many of the flora and fauna that once thrived here were now the shards of bones and scorched branches that made up the dragons' wretched nests. My heart sank. This was all my doing. Out of foolishness and desperation, I had brought ruin upon the Valley. It had been nearly a year now, since my bargain with Thann had been made.

I shook my head as if to will away the memory of my foolishness. I was here to make things right. At least, I certainly intended to do so. My hand gripped the hilt of the dagger snug on my hip in an attempt to feel some reassurance or safety. The screeches of the foul beasts echoed off of the granite walls above the Valley. I silently prayed that I could complete my task without being caught and inevitably consumed by their powerful flames. Their smoldering, foul-smelling nests littered both the peaks and the lower hills, filling the entire area with the smell of carnage and decay. My brown linen pants, simple white tunic, and worn leather boots offered no protection against their scorching heat. No margin of error would allow me to survive this, I realized. One slip, one false step, one wrongly trusted instinct, and I would join the mass grave all around me. Steadily, I rose to my feet, and I wondered how it was that my body seemed to maintain fluidity despite the sinking pit in my stomach. I felt fear, of course, but what I felt most was shame. Perhaps I could make that shame fuel me instead of sinking me.

I could do this. I could do this. I could.

I needed to find and take the Necklace. If I even succeeded enough to find Thann's tent, I realized, I would have no idea what to do next. What if he was wearing the Necklace? Wait, surely he must be keeping it somewhere more secure than his neck. Either way, I had no plan. What if he's already placed his own wards around it? What if the second I touch it, I perish, or worse, become one of his cold, mindless Underlings? The thought sent ice through my veins. I would die before allowing myself to succumb to such a fate. Thann was a cruel and powerful necromancer, seeking domination beyond comprehension, but there were still things he did not do himself. Instead, his Underlings were ordered to carry out the bloodiest and foulest of acts on his behalf. I knew I had done a terrible deed to be in this position in the first place, but I still had the mind to correct my mistake. To become one of them would be to lose myself entirely.

I just had to retrieve the Necklace to render Thann powerless and release his Underlings from his control. That's what I was here to do. I had to -because I was the stupid human who gave him back the necklace nearly one year ago. The death, the destruction, and the malice unleashed upon this Valley and the surrounding settlements all happened because of me. I was a simple, unremarkable man, yet my stupidity had monstrous consequences.

Another, closer, screech sent my heart racing, and I watched the hillside erupt into flames. Rocks began to rain down from my left, and I scrambled, trying to reach the safety of another large boulder closer to the river. I needed to remain hidden, but my gut told me any one of these rocks could deliver a fatal blow. I lunged forward, struggling to maintain my footing as my boots hit the loose gravel. My hands flailed outward and only barely grasped the cool stone before I fell. Once stable, I searched the skies above the hillside for the creature that had unleashed the flames. There was no sight of it. I let relief settle over me.

The last of the rocks tumbled down, no longer close enough to cause me harm. It seemed the best plan of action was to quickly travel along the river from one boulder to the next while searching the hills for Thann's tent. I noticed the folds in which multiple hills met offered fantastic shelter. I supposed Thann had set up camp in one of those crevices. It seemed like not only the best option to remain hidden, but an option that would also offer relief from the searing sun. On to the next boulder, then. I chose my target and readied myself to run.

I could do this. I could-

Pain seared through me. Heat, far too much heat, hit my side. I whirled around, only to be thrown back by a blast of hot air. Great, powerful wings descended. Desperately, I tried to get back on my feet. Before I could rise, razor-sharp talons ripped through the leather of my right boot and clasped my leg, hanging me upside down. I shouted, startled.

"Eiran?" The creature's hateful voice hissed. "I think Lord Thann will be quite... intrigued to hear that Eiran, the human, is sneaking about his lands. What are you doing here? Were the terms not clear?"

Panic hit my gut. I felt I might spew all over the ground. If I was caught now- this was bad. No, he couldn't know why I was here, what I planned to do. Think of a lie.

"My- my apologies. I... just was hoping to- I just wanted to know if there was perhaps... an update? An update on... Lord Thann's end of the bargain?" I could hardly get the words out past the pain.

The talons sunk deeper into my flesh, and a deep growl rumbled through the beast. "You mean to tell me," it snarled, "you doubt the divine Lord's word? Did he not explicitly tell you when and where he would deliver her to you? The Lord's craft takes time."

"Well, yes, but- "

The massive, leathery wings flapped and we began to ascend.

"Shut it, human filth. He will deal with you. And no doubt he will be pleased with me for finding you here."

With that, we shot to the sky.

"No- wait. Please, no!" I flailed my limbs, despite the blinding pain.

I couldn't let that bastard Thann know I was here. If I faced him now, I had no hope of staying alive, let alone obtaining the Necklace. I tried to think, tried to will my mind to cooperate. I had a weapon! Yes, my dagger at my hip was within reach. I had no time to hesitate; I grabbed for it and unlatched it from my belt. Using all my strength, I swung my body upward and thrust my dagger into the dragon's thick scales. After two hits, I felt the dagger pierce the creature. Metallic blood poured from the wound, quickly coating my hand. The creature bellowed. A small victory. I thrust my dagger again and again until I felt the talons release with a final cry from the beast. I fell.

The wind whipped around me as I plunged toward the river. I took a deep breath in preparation for impact. My body slammed into the cold water, and immediately the current pulled me deep. The longer I was under, the harder it would be for the dragon to track me, but I could only hold my breath for so long. I needed to get to the surface. Rocks and stray tree limbs in the riverbed tore through my clothes and skin as I tried to push my feet off the bottom. Pain once again ripped through me as my injured leg hit the riverbed. I tried desperately to suppress my yelp; I couldn't afford to lose precious air. My lungs began to burn as I pushed upward. I managed to kick through the pain, and at last, I reached the surface. I gasped for air just as the current once again pulled me under; I couldn't seem to keep my head above the water. I struggled against the current, searching for some foothold or a thing to grab onto. Again, my lungs began to ache and burn, begging me to take in a breath. At last, my feet rediscovered the riverbed and I launched myself upward. Another gulp of air entered my body as I surfaced, but this time I looked for anything I could use to pull myself free from the water. To my right, a flat slab of rock protruded from the bank. I hurdled my body toward it, desperate not to fall under the current once more. I latched on, yanking upward, freeing myself from the icy current.

Hurling myself onto the stone, I retched and coughed, water expelling from me. Each breath stung my lungs. I willed my body to inch toward the nearest crevice in the hillside that I had noted earlier. Every movement was agony. The debris in the riverbed had torn my skin, my head pounded relentlessly, and the talon wound in my leg spouted blood, leaving a trail behind me. I channeled my entire being into that slow, painful crawl across dry grass and gravel. As I reached the crevice, I tilted my head toward the sky. I was hidden well here, and I could see no signs of the creature that had caught me or any of its brethren. Exhausted and useless, I flopped to the ground. A single sob escaped my throat before the darkness claimed me.

"Come outside, Eiran!" A familiar voice called.

I lowered my pencil and set it beside my leather-bound notebook containing an incomplete sketch of a small treefrog. I looked up at her as she crossed the threshold into my study. She was beaming, her brown skin flushed and damp with sweat. My heart swelled at the sight.

"I think you're going to like what I found, my love. Come look!" She requested again, reaching a slender hand out toward me.

Say no. Don't go.

I took her hand.

The sun was nearly set, but the air remained thick and humid. I struggled to keep my breath even, but Kiah bounded ahead through the ferns and vines, eager to show me what she had discovered. She navigated the forest with the grace and familiarity of one of the many creatures that dwelled here.

"Is it... much further?" I asked, breathless.

"It's right up there!"

Turn arond. Go home.

I continued onward.

The very last rays of light peeked through the trees. The forest was nearly dark now.

"Here!" Kiah stopped and pointed to a small cluster of lavender mushrooms. "I know you've been looking for intact specimens to catalog, so when I came across these little fellows, I thought I should go surprise you," She looked up at me, her rich brown eyes wide with joy and accomplishment.

The lilac fibrecap was indeed the last mushroom I needed to catalog for my research. I grinned. Strands of her silvery hair had fallen loose from her bun, framing her sharp features. I could never forget that face. My heart soared, knowing she had not only thought of me here but even found joy in helping me. No matter how many years we'd been together, I was always amazed by her.

"Well, thank you, my dear. This certainly makes things a easier. I can make a note of the spot, and we'll come back tomorrow. I think it's a bit too dark for me to properly sketch now," I said, marking the location in my notebook.

I clasped my hand around hers. Drawing her near, I softly kissed her forehead. "Really, thank you for thinking of me," I whispered.

Run. Leave now.

I continued to hold her.

The arrows hit their target before either one of us could register the threat. I heard a whoosh of wind, the squelch of impact, and then the scream. Her scream.

"Kiah!"

I fell to my knees, cradling her in my arms. A warm wetness seeped into my clothing, and I felt the arrows protruding out of her chest. Her breath was rapid, her eyes distant.

"Kiah, Kiah- what- what..." Tears pricked my eyes, my stomach raged. I swung my head in the direction the arrows had come, but I saw nothing but empty darkness. I looked back to my love, realizing there was far too much blood leaving her body. An arrow must have struck an artery; if I could just carry her back to the healer-

"Eiran, I- I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," She rasped, gripping my hand. "I love you... I still- "

Her head fell back, leaving her hand limp in mine.

No. No. NO-

The blackness claimed me once again.

When I awoke, I did not recognize my surroundings.